A new conventional wisdom, spanning academic and policy communities, sees a combination of economic competitiveness, social cohesion and responsive governance as essential for survival in the post-1980s world - and cities as crucial to achieving these goals. This interdisciplinary text provides the first critical examination of these ideas, drawing on the UK Cities research programme and other recent research. It combines analysis of the competitiveness-cohesion-governance problematic with examination of the major processes underlying key sectors of the urban economy, physical development, social relations, neighbourhoods and urban policy.
NICK BUCK is Professor and Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, UK.IAN GORDON is Professor of Human Geography, London School of Economics, UK.ALAN HARDING is Professor of Urban and Regional Governance and Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainable Urban and Regional Futures, Salford University, UK.IVAN TUROK is Professor of Urban Economic Development, University of Glasgow, UK.
Cities in the New Conventional Wisdom; I.Gordon & N.BuckPART I: CONCEPTSCities, Competition and Competitiveness: Identifying New Connections; I.TurokSocial Cohesion in Cities; N.BuckGovernance and Socio-economic Change in Cities; A.HardingIntegrating Cities; I.GordonPART II: KEY SECTORS, PROCESSES AND INSTITUTIONSKnowledge, Innovation and the Competitiveness of Cities; P.Cooke & J. SimmieThe Locational Dynamics of Financial Services in Regional Cities; N.Bailey & S.FrenchUrban Dilemmas of Competition and Cohesion in Cultural Policy; K.Bassett, I.Smith, M.Banks & J.O'ConnorNeighbourhoods and Poverty: Linking Place and Social Exclusion; R.Atkinson, N.Buck & K.KintreaGentrification; T.ButlerGovernance, Social Cohesion and Neighbourhood Participation; R.Goodlad & R.MeeganSynchronization, Salesmanship and Service Delivery: Governance and Urban Competitiveness; I.DeasUrban Properties: Spaces, Places and the Property Business; S.Guy, J.Henneberry & G.BramleyHow Urban Labour Markets Matter; I.Gordon & I.TurokConclusion: Moving Beyond the Conventional Wisdom; N.Buck, I.Gordon, A.Harding & I.Turok.
'This book will challenge and stimulate students new to the field. But it will also satisfy older heads looking to have their intellectual curiosity refreshed... Its analysis and policy lessons will be valuable for researchers and policy-makers alike. In particular its trenchant critique of the 'New Conventional Wisdom' which dominates academic and policy discussion of urban issues at the beginning of the 21st century should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in cities - wherever they live or work.' - Professor Michael Parkinson 'I would not hesitate to recommend the book to academics with an interest in understanding how key issues like competitiveness, cohesion and governance play out on the contemporary scene of urban studies at the beginning of the twenty-first century.' - Acta Sociologica
Ivan Turok, David Bailey, Jennifer Clark, Jun Du, Ugo Fratesi, Michael Fritsch, John Harrison, Tom Kemeny, Dieter Kogler, Arnoud Lagendijk, Tomasz Mickiewicz, Ernest Miguelez, Stefano Usai, Fiona Wishlade
Ivan Turok, David Bailey, Jennifer Clark, Jun Du, Ugo Fratesi, Michael Fritsch, John Harrison, Tom Kemeny, Dieter Kogler, Arnoud Lagendijk, Tomasz Mickiewicz, Ernest Miguelez, Stefano Usai, Fiona Wishlade